Partition wall tear-down. Sounds like a fairly straightforward job, doesn’t it? Well, if it’s not load-bearing and free of electrical wiring and plumbing, then yes. Just about anyone can demolish an interior wall. However, if it’s load-bearing, it can’t come down. Although, if it contains wiring or other systems, you can take it down. But, you’ll need to replace those systems. Read on to learn more about partition wall tear-down.
Common Challenges
The real challenge isn’t the partition wall removal. It’s actually more about the clean up and dealing with the mess it creates. And, what a mess it will create. So, be sure to have a plan for what to do with the remodeling debris.
Before anything else, you need to determine whether or not this is a load-bearing interior wall. This guide concerns only interior walls that are not structurally supportive: i.e. non load-bearing. If your wall is partial—one end stops in the middle of the room—instructions are slightly different. If the wall is not load-bearing, you can remove it with impunity. If it is load-bearing, you’ve got problems unless you make provisions for supports to replace the supports you are removing. --The Spruce
First, you need to determine if it’s just there to define a space or there to hold up part of your home. If it is a load bearing wall and you take it out, the house won’t necessarily collapse, but you will notice over time sagging and eventually, there will be major and costly problems. You can determine if it’s a load bearing wall by looking at the joists. Bearing walls are typically situated at right angles to the joists. However, this isn’t always the case.
Partition Wall Tear-Down in Englewood
Once you are sure that it is not a load-bearing wall, then you can take it down with a few steps. Here’s an overview of how to go about partition wall tear-down:
- Clear and cover the area. Empty the room on either side of the wall. Then, cover the area with tarps or drop cloths to minimize the mess. Additionally, try to keep the area free of children and pets, especially when you’re actually taking down the wall.
- Turn off the power. Partition walls can serve more than one purpose. Although their main function is to divide and define a space, these can also be a handy place for electrical outlets. If there are any of these present, you’ll have to shut off power to them on the main electrical panel and remove the wiring.
- Remove the trim. Pull the trim off the wall and place it out of the way. You can do this with a pry bar or claw hammer. When you do, take the time to remove the nails and place them in a container as an extra safety precaution.
- Tear down the partition wall. Wear a dust mask and eye protection. Also, put on boots and heavy gloves. Then, use a sledgehammer to knock down the wall. Look inside to see if there are any other systems hidden away. If not, you can just demolish the wall with a sledge and pry bar.
When you need remodeling debris disposal in Englewood, just phone 800-433-1094 or visit AAA Rousse Services.
